Quarterbacks the Focus of Top Super Bowl LI Prop Bets

Super Bowl LI is right around the corner as we are inching closer to kickoff between the Atlanta Falcons and the New England Patriots. The focus of the game will be on the men under center. Matt Ryan of the Falcons is the probable MVP of the regular season and has continued his strong play in the postseason. As for Tom Brady, despite missing the first four games of the season due to suspension he was right there in the MVP conversation and is on the brink of his fifth Super Bowl win. With that in mind, let's take a look at four fun Super Bowl props on the board when it comes to the quarterbacks in Super Bowl LI.

Who Will Have More Passing Yards?

Ryan is favored to throw for more yards at -125 while Brady is rated at -105, so there isn't a lot between them. Both quarterbacks have a lot of weapons at receiver and they use their running backs as well, and they have quick releases with good offensive lines that keep them upright. Ryan averaged 309 yards per game during the regular season, where Brady averaged just over 296 yards. In two playoff games each, Ryan has 730 yards to 671 yards for Brady.

On paper, Brady is facing the weaker of the two defenses (Falcons ranked 25th), so he could face less resistance. On the flip side, the Patriots have the third-ranked rush defense but were only 12th against the pass. That means the Falcons might lean more on Ryan's arm than their running game.

Who Will Have More Passing Attempts?

Brady is actually favored here at -125, with Ryan coming in at -105. Ryan averaged over 33 attempts per game in the regular season and Brady averaged 36. In the playoffs, Brady has put 80 passes to 75 for Ryan, who has a better running game on paper. The Falcons had the fifth-best rushing offense while the Patriots were seventh. The Patriots did finish the regular season with the third-most rushing attempts but keep in mind they averaged 32.5 rushing attempts per game in the first four weeks when Brady was suspended and averaged 29.3 in the remaining 12.

Who Will Throw The First Touchdown Pass?

Brady is favored at -150 to throw the first touchdown pass of the game while Ryan is listed at +120. This is something that could come down to simply who has the ball first as both of these teams will be looking to strike quickly. Ryan has thrown seven touchdowns so far in the postseason and Brady has thrown five scores, so there isn't a lot between the two star quarterbacks. The Patriots have a stout run defense, so the Falcons might find it tough sledding in the red zone.

Who Will Throw The First Interception?

Ryan is favored to throw the first pick of the Super Bowl at -150 while Brady is priced at +120. If Ryan throws a pick in the Super Bowl, it'll be his first of the postseason. He has thrown for 30 touchdowns and just four interceptions in his last 11 games.

As for Brady, he has thrown two picks in the playoffs (both came against a very good Houston defense), but he threw just two interceptions in 12 regular-season games. He set an NFL record for the best regular season touchdown-to-interception ratio ever (28:2). Both quarterbacks are very good at protecting the ball.